Col de Moissière

Overview

Col de Moissière is a category 1 climb in France, running 9.6 km from a start elevation of 797 m to a summit at 1,574 m. Over that distance it delivers a net elevation gain of 777 m at an average gradient of 8.13%, which places it firmly among the serious mid-mountain efforts rather than anything you can spin over casually.

The number that reshapes how you ride it is the gap between net elevation gain and total ascent. The road climbs 777 m in net terms but 949 m in total ascent, meaning roughly 172 m of that is climbing you do twice because the profile drops and rises again along the way. That undulation matters: every recovery descent has to be re-earned, so the true metabolic cost sits above what a simple 8.13% average suggests.

How the Gradient Unfolds

An 8.13% average on an undulating climb is deceptive. Because the profile gives back roughly 172 m of descent, the sustained climbing pitches must be steeper than the average to still net 777 m of gain. Expect gradients that swing well into double digits on the working sections, punctuated by short flatter breaks that briefly ease the load before the road tilts up again.

• Flatter or recovery sections where the road levels or dips, worth about 172 m of the total drop
• Repeated short climbs that follow each recovery, each one steeper than the 8.13% average
• The steepest ramp, where the gradient bites hardest and you should already be in your easiest gear

Pacing Notes

On a smooth climb you can chase even effort and let speed vary. Here the undulation makes that harder: even-effort pacing is still the goal, but you must actively resist surging on the flatter sections and burning matches you will want on the ramps. Hold a steady sustainable power output through the steep pitches and deliberately soft-pedal the descents to recover rather than pushing to keep speed up.

Avoid even-speed pacing entirely on this profile. Chasing a constant speed forces spikes on every steep ramp that will cost you before the summit. If you do not know your ceiling, run the FTP estimator first and set a power target you can hold across all 9.6 km.

Gearing

With sustained pitches climbing well past the 8.13% average and the road rearing up on its steepest ramp, gearing is not optional. Run a compact or sub-compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette — a 34×32 or 34×34 low gear gives you the cadence to keep the pedals turning on the hardest sections without grinding to a stall. Check your setup before the ride; discovering you are over-geared halfway up a category 1 climb is a long, expensive lesson.

Summary

• Length: 9.6 km
• Average gradient: 8.13%
• Net elevation gain: 777 m
• Total ascent: 949 m
• Category: 1

Col de Moissière rewards a rider who reads the profile rather than the average. Respect the undulation, pace on power, gear low, and the 777 m of net gain will come without blowing up on the steep ramps.